parents just don't understand?

Wednesday

Jan 2, 2013 at 9:38 PMJan 2, 2013 at 9:39 PM

We are on Day 9 of no binky for Eve Dickey...

Emily Dickey

Being a mom is not for the weak. Heck, being a parent is the toughest job in the world. It’s funny because no one ever tells you that. Although until you become a parent, there is no way to comprehend the responsibility and expectations that go along with having a child.

We are currently on Day 9 of no binky for Eve Dickey.

Yes, my little 3 ½-year-old cutie had a binky until Christmas Eve, when “we” decided to give them to Santa so he could take them to a baby in need of one – hopefully Baby Collin, my best friend’s 6-month-old. Judge if you want, but I think all parents can agree that some battles just aren’t worth fighting.

It was my idea to get rid of the pacifier – I was willing to fight the battle, finally.

At first, it wasn’t a big deal – but then again, it was Christmas Day. It’s easy to forget your troubles when Santa has rewarded your sacrifice with a new dollhouse, the Princess Tiana doll you asked for and lots of Lalaloopsy paraphernalia. At any rate, Eve didn’t ask for her binky one time on Christmas Day….but when we headed to bed that evening, exhausted after a full day with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins from both the Martin and Dickey clans, the temper tantrum of all temper tantrums erupted in our house.

Chip and I held firm, knowing that if we caved and returned the surrendered silicone suckers, there would be no taking them back, at least not any time soon. After ten eternity-like minutes, Eve calmed down with her cherished blankie and the house settled into a peaceful slumber.

Unfortunately, bedtime has been an issue every. single. night since then. A once easy ritual has turned into a battle of wills, full of tears and pleas from all parties involved. Chip and I have managed to hold ourselves back from rescuing the pacifiers from their haven atop the refrigerator – my resolve a bit more concrete than my spouse’s. We’ve managed to appease Eve by bringing back the previously abandoned backrub to help her fall asleep (which, of course, makes her older sister jealous in its wake).

Last night, as we were in the middle of bedtime tantrum number eight, Chip looked at me and vocalized just what I was thinking.

“Why are we doing this?”

Are binkies really that bad? Ok, I’ve heard all about the dental issues, but let’s face it, my children are due for orthodontics no matter what.

But to me, it’s much more than that. As her mother, I made a decision. As her mother, what I say goes. As her mother…..

I have to help her get through this.

So, we might have to read a few more bedtime stories. We might have to rub her back for the next year until she falls asleep. We might have to continuously say, “It’s not easy being three.” Yes, we might have to take a little extra time to help her learn how to deal with giving up something that she has depended on for her entire existence.

I’m her mom – and I’ll do whatever it takes to help her get over this hurdle….without the binky.

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